Dance & Yoga in Schools provides engaging opportunities for children and SEND individuals through workshops, P.E. class support, and community sessions to promote well-being. Our aim is to spread the benefits of dance and yoga to young learners in school and beyond.
Dance in Schools
A variety of dance programmes for schools looking to enhance their dance curriculum:
CPD support within lessons, working alongside teaching staff
A range of dance topics to support cross curricular learning
Workshops available as part of Sports or Arts weeks
Whole school staff CPD training for teachers
Dance offers a wide range of benefits for children, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. The benefits of dance are vast!
Physical Development - Improved Coordination and Balance: Dance helps children develop better motor skills, coordination, and balance as they learn to control their bodies and execute different movements.
Increased Flexibility: Regular dancing increases flexibility, which can reduce the risk of injuries in daily activities and other sports.
Enhanced Strength and Endurance: Dance is a form of exercise that helps build muscle strength and endurance, contributing to overall physical fitness.
Better Posture: Dance encourages good posture, which is essential for preventing musculoskeletal issues as children grow.
Cognitive Development - Memory and Learning Skills: Learning dance routines and sequences helps improve memory, attention, and concentration, which can positively impact academic performance.
Creativity and Imagination: Dance allows children to express themselves creatively, fostering imagination and innovative thinking.
Problem-Solving Skills: Through improvisation and choreography, children develop problem-solving skills by making decisions about movements and spatial awareness.
Emotional Development & Self-Expression: Dance provides a healthy outlet for children to express their emotions, which can help them understand and manage their feelings.
Increased Confidence: Mastering dance moves and performing in front of others boosts self-esteem and confidence.
Stress Relief: Dance can serve as a fun and effective way for children to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, contributing to better mental health.
Social Development - Teamwork and Cooperation: Group dance activities teach children how to work together, listen to others, and collaborate, which are essential social skills.
Communication Skills: Dance often involves interpreting music and emotions, helping children improve their non-verbal communication skills.
Making Friends: Dance classes provide a social environment where children can interact with peers, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging.
Cultural Awareness - Exposure to Different Cultures: Dance introduces children to various cultural traditions and music styles, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.
Understanding Diversity: By learning dances from different cultures, children gain a broader perspective and understanding of the world around them.
Discipline and Focus - Developing Discipline: The structured environment of dance classes helps children learn the importance of discipline, practice, and perseverance.
Goal Setting and Achievement: Dance teaches children to set goals, such as mastering a new move, and experience the satisfaction of achieving them through hard work.
“Faye works closely with teachers and staff to ensure the curriculum needs are fulfilled, by planning fun and stimulating lessons linked to their class learning.”
Emily Tapp - P.E Co-ordinator @ Green Lane Primary School
Yoga & Mindfulness in Schools
Yoga is delivered through games, team work and fun! Yoga and mindfulness help students in many ways:
Physical benefits: Improves flexibility, strength, balance & endurance, all of which enhance the motor skills.
Mental Benefits - Focus and Concentration: Yoga encourages mindfulness and requires concentration, which can help children develop better focus and cognitive skills. These skills are beneficial in academic settings and daily life.
Cognitive Development: Movement-based activities stimulate brain function and can enhance learning, memory, and problem-solving skills. Engaging in these activities from a young age supports cognitive growth.
Emotional Benefits - Stress Relief: Yoga and movement can help children manage stress by providing them with techniques to calm their minds and bodies. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced world where children are often exposed to various stressors.
Emotional Regulation: Through mindful breathing and relaxation techniques, children learn how to manage their emotions, which can lead to better behavior and improved social interactions.
Self-Esteem and Confidence: Successfully learning and performing yoga poses or movement routines can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. This sense of accomplishment can translate into other areas of their lives.
Social Benefits - Teamwork and Cooperation: Many movement activities involve group work, where children learn to cooperate, share, and support each other. These social skills are crucial for developing positive relationships.
Sense of Community: Participating in yoga classes or movement groups can create a sense of belonging and community, which is important for emotional and social development.
Behavioral Benefits - Improved Discipline: Yoga teaches discipline through structured practice and the repetition of poses. This discipline can carry over into other areas of a child’s life, such as their studies or hobbies.
Better Sleep Patterns: Regular physical activity, including yoga, can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to better quality sleep. Good sleep is essential for growth, health, and learning.
Book a series of classes or a workshop
Yoga Community Classes
(Not currently running)
Through games, play & movement, children learn different yoga postures each week, finishing with relaxation & meditation.
Community yoga, movement and mindfulness classes for children ages 7-11 are held every Thursdays during term time in Raynes Park.
5.30 - 6.15pm
@ The Residents Pavilion, 129 Grand Drive, Raynes Park, SW20 9LY
“My girls totally adored their first session of yoga, movement & mindfulness, and came home both relaxed and excited about what they had accomplished.”
Bella Kearney - Mum
With Dance & Yoga in Schools, children and SEND students alike discover the joy of movement and mindfulness.
Embrace the present moment and step into the future gracefully, as we support holistic well-being through engaging classes tailored for school settings and the wider community.
— From the heart of Dance & Yoga in Schools